Thinking about buying an Epiphone EB-3...are they any good?

[jd56hawk]

I have a Dean Acoustic bass and a Epiphone Thunderbird...and believe me, the Dean sometimes feels as heavy as the T-bird. I'm just looking for a nice, inexpensive bass to play with my friend Dave Mathews...he needs a bass player and we've been friends since we were still in grade school, but I just can't afford a big-name brand bass. Not much of a fan of Fender style basses, and I really like my T-bird, I just want something else.
I've heard a few bad things about the Epiphone EBs, though, and just thought maybe someone who owns one could tell me a bit about them.
I've always liked SGs and EBs for some reason...I blame it on the rear cover of Love It To Death.

[3234718]

I briefly had one. Tons of neck dive. Sounded fine I suppose but it wasn't for me. If your budget is $300, I'd explore other options.

[jmlee]

I sat down to play one at a music store recently, drawn as always to that style of instrument because of my profound love for Jack Bruce. It was flat-sounding and fundamentally uninteresting to my ear, despite a good deal of futzing around trying to find some sort of interesting tones.

Thereafter, I sat down with a faded Gibson SG bass (short scale rather than the 34" of the Epiphone EB-3). It was a really nice little bass with a big, warm humbucker at the neck. It served as a lesson that similarities in look do not necessarily breed similarities in sound. Now, mind you, it's about twice the cost of the Epiphone, but it's money well-spent if that look interests you.

[Wallace320]

Originally Posted by jd56hawk

I have a Dean Acoustic bass and a Epiphone Thunderbird...and believe me, the Dean sometimes feels as heavy as the T-bird. I'm just looking for a nice, inexpensive bass to play with my friend Dave Mathews...he needs a bass player and we've been friends since we were still in grade school, but I just can't afford a big-name brand bass. Not much of a fan of Fender style basses, and I really like my T-bird, I just want something else.
I've heard a few bad things about the Epiphone EBs, though, and just thought maybe someone who owns one could tell me a bit about them.
I've always liked SGs and EBs for some reason...I blame it on the rear cover of Love It To Death.

Anyway I love Thunderbirds (and even ESP Phoenix which are reversed as well) and Epiphone EB3 is worth each and every $ it costs
If any, I'm not that into three pivot bridge, infact on my Epi Thunderbird Pro (with two band active equalizer) I can count on a proficient Gotoh himass bridge, but that's only because I play a full step downtuned (I installed a Hipshot GB7 detuner to drop C tuning)
My main basses are Sheehan's Yamaha Attitude Limited, the ones with neck DiMarzio humbucker, so I surely suggest you the warmth of the neck Seth Lover humbucker and the snap of the mini bridge humbucker both on Epiphone EB3

Only con is some poor overall finishings, that's why I started talkin' about the limited edition jetblack with pearloid pickguard
which standed up from stock versions

Anyway good punch for your bucks

Cheers,
Wallace

[Muziekschuur]

The new Musicman SUB 4 strings and 5 strings are in your pricerange and I assume it will be the more versatile bass...

If you can I'd hunt down a Ovation bass. The Ovation Magnum covers the same ground and I'm quite sure in the 300-400 pricerange a Ovation Magnum is waiting for you near you.

[bill reed]

I have a Epiphone EB3 and its a really well made bass. the neck pick-up is the one to get that Jack Bruce sound.
it does have a bit of neck dive but i found that the 34" scale to be much better than the older short scale EB3.
much better bass than people give it credit. you can get that Jack Bruce sound or that Andy Frazer sound.
if i was rating it i'd give it a 8 ou of 10.
good bass and has a small neck. plays well.
glad i have one and its a keeper.

[jd56hawk]

Thanks a lot, everyone. I already have a HeadsUp strap for my T-Bird, so neck dive's not a problem. Saw a negative EB-0 online...Canada, but they don't ship to the U.S. Anyway, I like the limited editions, too, and I can get one for less than $300.
By the way, I'd sure like an Ovation Magnum...maybe I should keep an eye on ebay and start checking the local pawn shops. I used to have a Breadwinner and unusual-shaped guitars are always cool.

[jd56hawk]

Damn, I'd like a Hofner bass if the Icon series comes in white...I've seen black ones.

[M.R. Ogle]

The back cover of "Love it to Death"?

Back in the day, nothing cooler!

[bill reed]

Originally Posted by jd56hawk

Damn, I'd like a Hofner bass if the Icon series comes in white...I've seen black ones.

A hofner with flats has a very unique woody sound. nothing else sounds like it. its a strange bass in that it has no tone control, only two volumes and a boost switch and two on off switches.
did not put McCartney off playing one for all them years.

[jd56hawk]

Of course, I want about 4 or 5 basses.
I used to like pawn shops back in the day before these guys started using computers to check prices. There was a place in Perth Amboy, still think it's there, where you could go in and buy guitars for $50 or $75...some pretty nice stuff, too. I remember seeing a really cool looking Vox Mark VI Acoustic copy that I just had to have so I asked the proprietor if it worked and he said:"You got fifty dollars it works fine."
I wonder if there are any places like that left. I think I bought at least ten guitars there.

[old mark]

jd56hawk the best time of year for pawnshops is now through March...they are DEAD, as are small music shops. Bring cash, you can made a better deal...


mark

[zachoff]

Yeah, I had one for a while too. They look cool... That's for sure. As has been stated there's tons of neck dive, but even worse than that (IMO) is that it didn't record well at all. It also came from the factory with a horrible setup, but that can be taken care of sort of easily (those bridges aren't fun to deal with).

Anyway, there are better options in that price category. Hell, even the Epi Les Paul bass is better than the EB as far as I'm concerned.